Member of Parliament for Akuapem South, Hon. O. B. Amoah, has highlighted the need for community and district courts for the survival of Ghana’s democracy.
According to him, the administration of justice guaranteed under the 1992 Constitution of Ghana is contingent on the presence courts.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Aburi District Court on Monday January 30, O.B. Amoah who is also the Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development argued that despite all challenges, courts exist to guarantee liberty, enhance social order, resolve legal disputes, maintain the rule of law, provide for equal protection, protect individuals against the arbitrary use of governmental power and deter criminal behaviour among others.
He said, “With the setting up of a court in the Akuapem South Municipality, it will also generate employment and all forms of business for the benefit of the Municipality and the nation.”
“It is our responsibility to maintain and protect it and appreciate its benefits.”
“It is my prayer that His Lordship, the Chief Justice, and the Judicial Service will promote court automation, which when properly implemented, can lead to a significant reduction in the length and cost of judicial proceedings as well as provide better access to civil justice.”
Mr. O.B. Amoah added that the presence of the court would also strengthen the alternative resolution on disputes as the court can also direct matters to be settled through arbitration, media, negotiation and community dispute resolution methods especially among family members, neighbours or business partners.
Since 2019, the Local Government Ministry and the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), with the active involvement of the Chief Justice have initiated and facilitated the construction of 130 Court Houses, including 10 two-storey double court buildings and 120 non-residential accommodations for judges and magistrates across the country.
This effort was a fulfilment of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s announcement in his Message of the State of the Nation on 9th March 2021 in which he indicated that through the Ministry and DACF, the government had already commenced, in an unprecedented initiative, the construction of courts with accompanying accommodation for judges across the country.
The initiative is to help address the challenge of inadequate court and accommodation infrastructure, ensure ready access to courts in the districts for promotion of justice and to deepen decentralisaion in accordance with the 1992 Constitution as well as the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936).
O.B. Amoah expressed gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for his support and commitment throughout the years, the Administrator of the DACF, Mrs. Irene Naa Torshie Lartey for championing the construction of the facilities.
He thanked the Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Anin Yeboah, for duly leading the judicial service, to advise and to help supervise the programme to provide well-equipped courts and accommodation across the country.
He also express gratitude to Otoobuor and Nananom, the Apeadu family who agreed to lease the land as well as the Municipal Assembly and the MCE who acquired the land for this project, the contractor and all stakeholders who supported the completion of the project.
